Method and apparatus for connecting a network of electronic signs

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus allows owners of electronic signs, such as retailers, real estate owners, other space owners, and content providers, such as advertisers, entertainment producers, event promoters, visual artists, and the general community to participate in an open content network, in which electronic signs are universally uniquely identified and then added to a network in a distributed fashion, after which content is selectively downloaded to the electronic signs. The times at which the content is presented are determined collaboratively by the owners of the electronic signs and the content providers. A mechanism that verifies whether the content is actually presented on the electronic signs is also disclosed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent applications, Ser. Nos. 60/772,490, filed 13 Feb. 2006 and 60/778,045, filed 2 Mar. 2006, each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The invention relates to electronic signs. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for connecting a network of electronic signs.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In the retail world, “POP” is used to refer to point-of-purchase advertising displays. POP displays can take various forms, including shelf-mounted signs, hanging posters, and more. Because an estimated 70% of purchase decisions are made within the retail store itself, effective POP displays can have a dramatic impact on sales for a particular product category or brand. Recently, static signs have begun to give way to electronic, dynamically updated point-of-purchase displays that present targeted product information, instant coupons, and more. To date, none of these systems provide a collaborative environment in which both content providers and merchants determine what is presented and when. It would be advantageous to provide a method and apparatus that allowed both the content providers and the owners of the electronic signs to cooperate in displaying and scheduling the display of content.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a method and apparatus that allows owners of electronic signs, such as retailers, real estate owners, other space owners, and content providers, such as advertisers, entertainment producers, event promoters, visual artists, and general community to participate in an open content network. In the presently the preferred embodiment, electronic signs are universally uniquely identified and then added to a network in a distributed fashion, after which content is selectively downloaded to the electronic signs. The times at which the content is presented are determined collaboratively by the owners of the electronic signs and the content providers. The invention further comprises a mechanism that verifies whether the content is actually presented on the electronic signs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic sign according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a network of electronic signs of FIG. 1 according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of software on the electronic sign of FIG. 1 according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a screenshot spelling a user webpage for a management feature of the invention, including content management, location management, sign management, and user management functions;

FIG. 5 is a screenshot showing the content management feature the invention in connection with the placing of an ad;

FIG. 6A shows the user dialogue in connection with the invention for selecting locations during the process of placing an ad, including targeting attributes such as demographics and geographies and keywords such as ethnicity, taste, status, sexuality, lifestyle, and interests (see FIGS. 6A and 6B);

FIG. 7 is a screenshot showing content selection in connection with the placing of an ad in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 8 is a screenshot showing the scheduling of an ad in connection with the placing of an ad in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 9 is a screenshot showing selection of locations or placement of an ad in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 10 is a screenshot showing a confirmation of location selection and scheduling in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 11 is a screenshot showing a play list of ads including ad types, the ads themselves, the published user, the start date, the end date, the pre-status, and the action in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 12 is a screenshot showing a campaign report location map in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 13 is screenshot showing a campaign report location summary in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 14 is a screenshot showing a location card for a particular neighborhood and location in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a method and apparatus that allows owners of electronic signs, such as retailers, real estate owners, other space owners, and content providers, such as advertisers, entertainment producers, event promoters, visual artists, and the general community to participate in an open content network. In the presently preferred embodiment, electronic signs are universally uniquely identified and then added to a network in a distributed fashion, after which content is selectively downloaded to the electronic signs. The times at which the content is presented are determined collaboratively by the owners of the electronic signs and the content providers. The invention further comprises a mechanism that verifies whether the content is actually presented on the electronic signs.

Referring to FIG. 1, the invention provides an electronic sign device that processes and presents visual and audio content. The presently preferred embodiment of the device 100 comprises a processor 10, a volatile memory 50, and a persistent memory 60 that are arranged to store and present electronic content. The device further comprises an input/output interface 20 and a network interface 30 for communication with external data sources. The device further comprises a display 40, such as a flat panel display, and optionally, one or more audio speakers 45 through which content is presented. The flat panel display can comprise, for example, an LCD panel, plasma display, front projection screen, or rear projection screen.

In one of its aspects, the invention provides a means for an electronic sign to identify itself universally. Each electronic sign is assigned a universally unique identifier 65 which is stored in the persistent memory of the electronic sign. In one embodiment, the MAC address of a network interface card is used as the unique identifier for the electronic sign. Other uniquely assigned numbers or strings, such as processor ID numbers and/or sequentially assigned alphanumerical strings, may also serve as a unique identifier.

In another of its aspects, the invention provides means to record a history of content presented on the electronic sign. The history of content that has been presented is written into the persistent memory of the electronic sign. In one embodiment, the history file is encrypted using a public key encryption algorithm to provide authenticity that establishes that the file is not falsely constructed. Other predetermined encryption algorithms may also be used to provide authenticity. The history provides a mechanism for verifying that specific content was actually presented on the electronic sign. This is useful for collecting statistics to identify effective campaigns, learn about a market, establish advertising rates, and the like.

Referring to FIG. 2, the invention provides a system 200 for connecting a plurality of electronic signs 100 into a content network 130 comprising one or more electronic signs 100 according to the invention; and server configured to store registration information for electronic signs, content files, information on how content files should be targeted to electronic signs, content selection and approval information, and histories of content presentation on electronic signs.

The server may comprise a single installation or a distributed system, and includes:

-   -   A set of functions to manage a network of electronic signs and         content presented on the electronic signs. The functions are         presented via a web interface 140, which is provided to owners         of electronic signs and content providers to access the set of         functions, and which includes:         -   Means for registering and managing a plurality of electronic             signs 170 in a content network. Each electronic sign is             registered using its unique identifier along with other             identifying information, including type and size of the             electronic sign, physical address where the electronic sign             is located, business type to which the electronic sign             belongs, viewer demographics of the electronic sign, tags             for preferred content types, as well as other rating             information of the electronic sign;         -   Means for uploading electronic visual and audio content 160             from content sources to the server. Content uploaded to the             server is targeted to one or more electronic signs based on             any or all of the registration information for the             electronic signs; and         -   Means for owners of electronic signs to select and approve             content to be presented 180 on the electronic signs.

The system also comprises:

-   -   A communication network 120 for example, the Internet, that         provides network access to the set of functions to manage the         network of electronic signs;     -   Another communication network 150, which in principal can be         identical to the first communication network, that provides         network connections for electronic signs to communication with         the server; and     -   A proxy server 110, which can be used in place of direct network         access, to synchronize the content between electronic signs and         the server, using a network or a portable data transportation         medium.

A presently preferred embodiment of the invention functions in the following manner:

-   -   New owners of electronic signs join the content network by         registering their electronic signs through a Web interface. Each         electronic sign is registered using its unique identifier, along         with other identifying information including type and size of         the electronic sign, physical address where the electronic sign         is located, business type to which the electronic sign belongs,         viewer demographics of the electronic sign, tags for preferred         content types, as well as other rating information of the         electronic sign. Viewer demographics include age, gender, income         level, marital status, occupation, and ethnicity. Examples of         tags for content types include typical content categories, such         as people, places, things, art, animation, and sports.     -   Owners of electronic signs manage electronic signs through the         Web interface. All registered electronic signs are listed;         registration information of electronic signs can be updated;         electronic signs can be added and removed from the system.     -   Content provides, i.e. content sources, register on the server         through the Web interface. Content providers are then able to         upload electronic visual and audio content to the server.         Content providers can also specify which electronic signs the         content is to be presented on by listing the criteria that         electronic signs need to meet. Such criteria include types and         sizes of electronic signs, physical addresses where electronic         signs are located, business types to which electronic signs         belong, viewer demographics of electronic signs, tags for         preferred content types, as well as unique identifications of         electronic signs, among other information to describe the         targeted electronic signs.     -   Content targeted to an electronic sign waits for approval by the         owner of the electronic sign before it is presented on the         electronic sign. When the owner of the electronic sign logs onto         the system through the Web interface, all content waiting for         approval is listed. If approved, the content is presented on the         electronic sign. If rejected, the content is not presented on         the electronic sign.     -   Through the Web interface, the owner of an electronic sign can         also arrange the order and timing of content presented on the         electronic sign.     -   An electronic sign is connected to the content network via a         communication network, through an additional proxy server, or         both. When connected through a communication network, the         electronic sign communicates and exchanges data with the server         directly via the network. Presently contemplated types of         network connection include both wired and wireless networks,         such as cable modems, dedicated subscriber line (DSL), phone         line modems, cellular or mobile networks, Ethernet, Wifi         networks, and WiMax networks. When connected through a proxy         server, the electronic sign first exchanges data with the proxy         server through physical storage devices, such as USB disks, SD         cards, and CompactFlash cards. The proxy server then exchanges         the data with the server via the proxy server.

Referring to FIG. 3, the invention provides necessary software 300 on the electronic signs to download visual and audio content, present the content, and record a presentation history. The data transportation software 210 uses the unique identifier 65 to determine and download appropriate content to the server 130, or via the proxy server 110. Content is downloaded in the form of content files 220 and a play list 230 that describes how content should be presented. Content files can be in the form of video such as MPEG files, pictures such as JPEG, GIF, TIFF files, animation such as Flash files, and slide shows such as a sequence of JPEG, GIF, TIFF files. Likewise, audio in any format such as AIF, WAV, and MP3 can accompany the content or can be presented separately. At the same time, presentation history 240 is uploaded to the server. The presentation history is processed on the server to determine how many times a content file is played on the electronic sign and when it is played on the electronic sign. Content presentation software 250 reads in the play list and content files, and uses the flat panel display 40 and audio speakers 45 to present the content. After each play of a content file, a record is written into the presentation history that contains the content file name or index and the time at which the content file was played. Such record is encrypted to ensure validity of the record and is uploaded to the server periodically to determine the actual number of times the content is presented on the electronic sign. In many situations, an advertiser may determine to pay the owner of the electronic sign a placement fee for every time an ad is shown. Having the presentation history provides an audit trail to determine actual performance. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic sign according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a network of electronic signs of FIG. 1 according to the invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of software on the electronic sign of FIG. 1 according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a screenshot spelling a user webpage for a management feature of the invention, including content management, location management, sign management, and user management functions.

FIG. 5 is a screenshot showing the content management feature the invention in connection with the placing of an ad.

FIG. 6A shows the user dialogue in connection with the invention for selecting locations during the process of placing an ad, including targeting attributes such as demographics and geographies and keywords such as ethnicity, taste, status, sexuality, lifestyle, and interests (see FIGS. 6A and 6B).

FIG. 7 is a screenshot showing content selection in connection with the placing of an ad in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 8 is a screenshot showing the scheduling of an ad in connection with the placing of an ad in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 9 is a screenshot showing selection of locations or placement of an ad in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 10 is a screenshot showing a confirmation of location selection and scheduling in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 11 is a screenshot showing a play list of ads including ad types, the ads themselves, the published user, the start date, the end date, the pre-status, and the action in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 12 is a screenshot showing a campaign report location map in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 13 is screenshot showing a campaign report location summary in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 14 is a screenshot showing a location card for a particular neighborhood and location in accordance with the invention.

Although the invention is described herein with reference to the preferred embodiment, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that other applications may be substituted for those set forth herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the invention should only be limited by the Claims included below. 

1. A content distribution method, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of electronic signs distributed among a plurality of locations; providing each electronic sign with a universal, unique identifier, wherein each electronic sign is associated with an owning entity; associating said electronic signs with a distributed electronic network; selectively downloading content published by any of a plurality of content providers to said electronic signs; said owners of said electronic signs and said content providers collaboratively determining what content is downloaded to said electronic signs and times at which said content is presented on said electronic signs; recording a history of content presented on each electronic sign; and verifying whether said content is actually presented on said electronic signs with said recorded history.
 2. The method of claim 1, said step of providing each electronic sign with a universal, unique identifier comprising the step of: using a MAC address of a network interface card for at least one electronic sign as a unique identifier for said electronic sign.
 3. The method of claim 1, said step of recording a history of content further comprising the step of: encrypting said history file using a public key encryption algorithm to provide authenticity that establishes that said history file is not falsely constructed.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: providing a server configured to store registration information for electronic signs, content files, information on how content files should be targeted to electronic signs, content selection and approval information, and histories of content presentation on electronic signs.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: providing a set of functions for managing a network of electronic signs and content presented on said electronic signs.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein said set of functions is presented via a web interface which is provided to owners of electronic signs and content providers to access said set of functions.
 7. The method of claim 6, said web interface comprising any of the steps of: registering and managing a plurality of electronic signs in a content network, wherein each electronic sign is registered using its unique identifier along with other identifying information, said other identifying information comprising any of type and size of the electronic sign, physical address where the electronic sign is located, business type to which the electronic sign belongs, viewer demographics of the electronic sign, and other rating information of the electronic sign; uploading electronic visual and audio content from content sources to a server, wherein content uploaded to said server is targeted to one or more electronic signs based on any or all of said registration information for the electronic signs; and said owners of said electronic signs selecting and approving content to be presented on their electronic signs.
 8. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of: providing a first communication network that provides network access to said set of functions to manage said network of electronic signs; providing a second communication network that provides network connections for electronic signs to communication with a server; and providing a proxy server to synchronize content between said electronic signs and said server, using a network or a portable data transportation medium.
 9. A content distribution method, comprising the steps of: owners of electronic signs joining a content network by registering their electronic signs on a server through a Web interface; wherein each electronic sign is registered using a unique identifier, along with other identifying information comprising any of type and size of electronic sign, physical address where said electronic sign is located, business type to which said electronic sign belongs, viewer demographics of said electronic sign, and other rating information of said electronic sign; owners of said electronic signs managing their electronic signs through said Web interface; wherein all registered electronic signs are listed, registration information of electronic signs can be updated, electronic signs can be removed from said network, and statistics on which electronic signs can be and have been viewed are provided; content providers comprising content sources registering on said server through said Web interface; said content providers uploading electronic visual and audio content to said server; said content providers specifying which electronic signs said content is to be presented on by listing criteria that electronic signs need to meet, said criteria comprising any of types and sizes of electronic signs, physical addresses where electronic signs are located, business types to which electronic signs belong, viewer demographics of electronic signs, unique identifications of electronic signs, and other information to describe targeted electronic signs; content targeted to an electronic sign waiting for approval by an owner of an electronic sign before it is presented on an electronic sign; listing all content waiting for approval when an owner of an electronic sign logs onto said network through said Web interface; wherein if said content approved by said owner of said electronic sign, said content is presented on said electronic sign; and wherein if said content is rejected by said owner of said electronic sign, said content is not presented on said electronic sign. said owner of an electronic sign arranging an order and timing of content presented on said electronic sign through said Web interface.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of: connecting an electronic sign to said content network via any of a communication network and through a proxy server; wherein, when connected through a communication network, said electronic sign communicates and exchanges data with said server directly via said network; and wherein, when connected through a proxy server, said electronic sign first exchanges data with said proxy server through at least one physical storage device, said proxy server then exchanging said data with said server via said proxy server.
 11. The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of: providing a data transportation module that uses said unique identifier to determine and download appropriate content either to said server or via said proxy server; wherein content is downloaded in the form of content files and a play list that describes how content should be presented; and collecting a presentation history at said electronic sign; uploading said presentation history from said electronic sign to said server; providing a content presentation module that receives said play list and content files and that provides said content for presentation; and writing an encrypted record into said presentation history after each play of a content file.
 12. A content distribution apparatus, comprising: a plurality of electronic signs distributed among a plurality of locations; each electronic sign comprising a universal, unique identifier, wherein each electronic sign is associated with an owning entity; means for associating said electronic signs with a distributed electronic network; means for selectively downloading content published by any of a plurality of content providers to said electronic signs; means for said owners of said electronic signs and said content providers collaboratively determining what content is downloaded to said electronic signs and times at which said content is presented on said electronic signs; means for recording a history of content presented on each electronic sign; and means for verifying whether said content is actually presented on said electronic signs with said recorded history.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, said universal, unique identifier comprising: a MAC address of a network interface card for at least one electronic sign as a unique identifier for said electronic sign.
 14. The apparatus of claim 12, said history of content further comprising: means for encrypting said history file using a public key encryption algorithm to provide authenticity that establishes that said history file is not falsely constructed.
 15. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: a server configured to store registration information for electronic signs, content files, information on how content files should be targeted to electronic signs, content selection and approval information, and histories of content presentation on electronic signs.
 16. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: a set of functions for managing a network of electronic signs and content presented on said electronic signs.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said set of functions is presented via a web interface which is provided to owners of electronic signs and content providers to access said set of functions.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, said web interface comprising any of: means for registering and managing a plurality of electronic signs in a content network, wherein each electronic sign is registered using its unique identifier along with other identifying information, said other identifying information comprising any of type and size of the electronic sign, physical address where the electronic sign is located, business type to which the electronic sign belongs, viewer demographics of the electronic sign, and other rating information of the electronic sign; means for uploading electronic visual and audio content from content sources to a server, wherein content uploaded to said server is targeted to one or more electronic signs based on any or all of said registration information for the electronic signs; and means for said owners of said electronic signs to selecting and approving content to be presented on their electronic signs.
 19. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising: a first communication network that provides network access to said set of functions to manage said network of electronic signs; a second communication network that provides network connections for electronic signs to communication with a server; and a proxy server to synchronize content between said electronic signs and said server, using a network or a portable data transportation medium.
 20. A content distribution apparatus, comprising: a Web interface for owners of electronic signs joining a content network by registering their electronic signs on a server; wherein each electronic sign is registered using a unique identifier, along with other identifying information comprising any of type and size of electronic sign, physical address where said electronic sign is located, business type to which said electronic sign belongs, viewer demographics of said electronic sign, and other rating information of said electronic sign; said Web interface further comprising means for owners of said electronic signs managing their electronic signs; wherein all registered electronic signs are listed, registration information of electronic signs can be updated, electronic signs can be removed from said network, and statistics on which electronic signs can be and have been viewed are provided; a plurality content providers comprising content sources registered on said server through said Web interface; said Web interface further comprising means for said content providers uploading electronic visual and audio content to said server; means for said content providers specifying which electronic signs said content is to be presented on by listing criteria that electronic signs need to meet, said criteria comprising any of types and sizes of electronic signs, physical addresses where electronic signs are located, business types to which electronic signs belong, viewer demographics of electronic signs, unique identifications of electronic signs, and other information to describe targeted electronic signs; means for content targeted to an electronic sign waiting for approval by an owner of an electronic sign before it is presented on an electronic sign; said Web interface further comprising means for listing all content waiting for approval when an owner of an electronic sign logs onto said network; wherein if said content approved by said owner of said electronic sign, said content is presented on said electronic sign; and wherein if said content is rejected by said owner of said electronic sign, said content is not presented on said electronic sign. said Web interface further comprising means for said owner of an electronic sign arranging an order and timing of content presented on said electronic sign.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising: any of a communication network and a proxy server for connecting an electronic sign to/through said content network; wherein, when connected through a communication network, said electronic sign communicates and exchanges data with said server directly via said network; and wherein, when connected through a proxy server, said electronic sign first exchanges data with said proxy server through at least one physical storage device, said proxy server then exchanging said data with said server via said proxy server.
 22. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising: a data transportation module that uses said unique identifier to determine and download appropriate content either to said server or via said proxy server; wherein content is downloaded in the form of content files and a play list that describes how content should be presented; and means for collecting a presentation history at said electronic sign; means for uploading said presentation history from said electronic sign to said server; a content presentation module that receives said play list and content files and that provides said content for presentation; and means for writing an encrypted record into said presentation history after each play of a content file. 